Where we're going with internet commerce has to change

[acornwebworks]

This is one of those threads where I just shake my head.

I get to read things like:

"But the majority of these businesses don't use the net. Why? Well unless they're web savvy, how are they to find a piece of information or find a possible supplier without using a search engine? They can't."

*** Are you serious? Do you really, truly believe that businesses can't find information or suppliers without searching the Internet? That there are no other ways to find information? That businesses are ignorant and without other resources? My goodness...how could they possibly have survived before the Internet!! (Much less thrived.)

"Representing all the retail businesses in your market is key. If you offer them technical and management tips, classifieds, forums and links to their suppliers, that will keep them coming back every day. The suppliers will, in turn, want to take full advantage of the "target market" opening you will supply."

*** Do you truly believe that businesses can't function successfully without your website or one like it? That it never crossed their minds to bookmark their suppliers' websites...or have their darn phone numbers in their Rolodex...or simply memorized? That all those brick and mortar business owners are going to spend their time on forums? That they are going to check your regional directory "every day" to see what you have to offer? (As if no one running a brick and mortar business has a clue how to run a business without those technical and management tips offered by a webmaster.)

Come on, folks. Get real.

The Internet has a role to play. It's not the entire production.

[red]

So here we all are making our opinions known as to what marketing is and was on the net, where it's going, what works and what doesn't. I've just read through all the posts on this thread. The phrases
"subliminal advertising", "web saavy", "e-business" and "interactive capability" (to name just a few) have been used in this thread.
Yet when I made it to the end of many of your posts,
you who are involved in , represent, or own a small business nearly half of you didn't use your web signature to end your post. Just an observation...

[jodiapple]

Ok after I have read some of the reply's on this topic I have something more to say in reply to some of the comments that had been made. I really enjoyed this forum first of all. I'm glad that fendermate brought this subject up as it is a very good one.

I want to thank also all of you have belive it can work this gives me the extra confidence in doing it all together. I have to agree that I believe over time it will be successful!

To "Red" who replied saying that we didn't use our signatures, I have to say this, For one this is a webproworld forum. Most of us here are more than likely to be in a business of some sort that deals with the web and I don't find it neccessary to advertise among other's who if they really wanted to could take a look at my site by using the WWW button below my post.

To "Acorn" you say that we need to get real, I think you need to open your mind a little more to understand what exactly is being said. I don't believe you have a full understanding of what is being discussed. You are entitled to your oppionion and that's fine but I feel you are not looking it the big picture on a couple of things. For 1 I don't care what kind of business you are every business always looks for some kind of tip no matter it is. Weather it be a Restaurant owner looking for marketing tips or what have ya. Yes, I do belive I am a business owner and most of you as well what are we all doing here? Aren't we discussing business? Aren't we finding new ways to make our businesses work? Isn't this the whole point of a webproworld Forum? Correct me if I'm wrong but if you are a business owner yourself and you said to everyone here that we need to get real that "we think business are ignorant without other resources" well what exaclty was your purpose here to begin with then?

To "Rhys" your point is well taken about most regional site's not being updates and they are just plain lousy! This would make a person want to give up on this project however, if the person was making this their business it makes more since that you could imagine. It's not about having to updates and all... You would get paid to do the updating. You would run the site as your business as it's the site that would be keeping you in business. To offer something that will cover a wide range of things but limited to a certain region. It's opportunity knocking! Maybe some of you can't see that but I belive your reasons for not seeing is because of the failure's of the other site's you have visited. I know what it's like to go to a website and have information on it that hasnt been updated since 1999. It's very agravating. That's the purpose! Take the aggravation Away!!! Produce a good source not just for businesses but for consumer's and traveler's and everyone! For the business it will not only be an advertising benefit but it would be a place where a business could go to find out who there competitors are and what they are up against. We all know this is something that has to be looked when you are running a business wouldnt that make your investigating a lot easier? Just open your mind you'll see...

Thanks again to all who belive in this! It really lifts me up.

Jodi
For Red....
Mother Nature's Web Services
Owner, Developer, Designer & Photographer
http://mothernaturesweb.com

New Site in the works!
http://swindianaonline.com